Devils Facing Reality Check with Latest Brodeur Injury

By Steve Palumbo

The New Jersey Devils announced this afternoon that goaltender Martin Brodeur will be out seven to 10 days to rehab his injured right shoulder. The team said Brodeur does not need surgery. Lamoriello said this is a good thing. But, is it? Is having your Hall of Fame goaltender repeatedly injured in seemingly routine situations really a “good thing?”

Devils fans are getting a true taste of life after Brodeur, which is quickly turning into the norm. Marty is aging faster than potato salad left in the hot sun at a family barbecue. The 39 year-old goaltender was once considered one of the NHL’s great iron men but he’s recently become more fragile than Chad Pennington on a QB sneak.

At Brodeur’s age the body takes longer to heal and minor injuries tend to linger; especially these so-called “tweaks.” It’s not totally out of the question to think his current injury may be more severe than the Devils are letting on.

New Jersey is a historically tight lipped organization when it comes to injuries. I don’t expect them to change that philosophy anytime soon. I hope this is not the case.

Brodeur is in the final year of his contract and already the questions about his future and possible retirement are starting to surface. If the injury lingers throughout the entirety of the season expect the retirement talk to intensify.

For myself personally I thought I’d never see the day Brodeur would stop his last puck in a New Jersey sweater. Now I’m hoping he has the ability to go out on his terms and not be forced out by nagging injuries. It just wouldn’t be right.

Keep in mind this is pure speculation on my part but I find it disheartening that less than five games in Brodeur is already ailing.

Back-up Johan Hedberg has been stellar in Marty’s absence, but “Moose” is up there in age too. The last thing the team needs are injury woes in goal. That could easily derail all the happy thoughts dancing in their heads so far.

I guess we’ll find out as the season progresses.
(Although it may be cool to see a young guy like Keith Kinkaid prove he has what it takes to be the next great New Jersey netminder.)